Friends United (Meri Dosti Mera Pyar)

Have you heard of the saying - You can choose your friends but not your relations?   Well  - I'll say no more.  A number of my friends, who started off as colleagues are now part of my extended family. We enjoy each other's company so much that we usually get together once or twice a year. 

We got together a couple of weeks at my place where they got to sample some of my cooking.   At these parties we have fun catching up on any gossip, any new additions to the family and also talking about the “good old days”.  I love meeting my friends and we never seem to tire of each other's company. 

We have started referring to these events as “XXXX Magic” and one of them made and decorated this wonderful cake for the day. 

I took a lot of photographs on the day but also forgot to take some as I got busy and distracted at time. Most recipes are on my blog and some need to be written. 

I hope that the menu for the day will inspire some of you to try the recipes.   

My menu was as follows:

Starters-

Papadums — with choice of Mango Dip, Raita, Green Chutney, Salsa

Punjabi Samosas made with peas and potatoes

Spring rolls — Made from moong sprouts, potatoes, carrots and capsicum

Curries

I made sweet corn curry with kidney beans and cooked it with peanuts in coconut milk.

At the suggestion of my younger son - I made mattar paneer in spicy punjabi style gravy. 

I also made moglai potatoes in spicy yoghurt gravy with onions.

For the breads I made masala puris and  Garlic & Herb Naans

For the rice dish I  chose to make  saffron rice garnished with Butter, cardamoms and saffron.

Desserts

We had Fulkhaja/Baklava (Ready made).  These are very sweet puff pastries with honey nut fillings. 

I made the carrot halwa. 

Several friends brought various desserts too.  Too much temptation here with music, masti and maja.

We finished the meal with Tea/Coffee & Cookies.

I really had fun planning the menu and then cooking the food.  Most of all I loved entertaining my friends and can't wait for the next get together. 

The food tasted delicious and I think my friends loved the food too as they were happy to take some of the leftovers  home. 

I wanted t capture that moment and also share the menu ideas hoping that some of you may like to copy my menu suggestions when entertaining over the Christmas holidays. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year friends. Have fun with your loved ones and be safe.

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Sweet Corn Curry with Nuts and Dessicated Coconut

I have always loved sweet corn especially the canned version.  I love eating it cold in salads and  I'll often open a small can for my lunch and just eat it cold.  This reminds me of my student days!! 


My sister in law introduced me to this curry (makai nu shak) which I think is her signature dish.  I have altered the recipe slightly by omitting the onions and adding cashews and coconut to the dish.    If you like your curry to be rich and creamy and slightly sweet, you will like this sweet corn curry.  If you use frozen or canned sweet corn, this is a quick and easy dish to make.  

Ingredients for 4 servings

4 cups of frozen sweet corn (if using fresh sweet corn – boil it first.  For canned sweet corn, drain the juices and wash the sweet corn with cold water)

1 cup any tomato mixture

½ cup mixed peanuts and cashews

¼  cup desiccated coconut

2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (I used sunflower oil)

1 teaspoon dry cumin seeds

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon chilly powder (use more if you like hot food)

2-3 cloves of blended garlic

Small bunch of coriander or some curry leaves for garnishing

1.  Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan and add in the cumin seeds.

2.   Once the seeds go dark brown, add the sweet corn and stir.

3.   Add the spices - salt, turmeric, chilly powder and stir.

4.  Roast the nuts either on a non stick saucepan or for 2-3 minutes in a microwave.

5.  Grind the nuts and mix them with the dessicated coconut and keep ready.

6.  Add the garlic and once the sweet corn is cooked, add the tomato mixture together with half a cup of water.


7.  Now add the ground nuts and desiccated coconut to the mixture.

8. Allow this to cook for 5-7 minutes and serve the curry hot with chappatis or Naan bread.

If you enjoy reading my blog, please click on Follow or become a fan of my page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.


My blog  is also available on Kindle.